Akwa Ibom govt to partner FG on seaport construction

The Akwa Ibom State government has said it is committed to commencing the construction of Ibaka Deep Seaport in partnership with the Federal Government. Governor Godswill Akpabio disclosed this at a gala night organised in honour of the visiting United State Consul- General in Nigeria, Mr Jeffrey Hawkins. The Consul-General was accompanied by the Minister of State for Trade and Investment, Mr Samuel Ortom. Akpabio said that the seaport project was a major industrial concern for Akwa Ibom State. The governor said that the need for continuous partnership between Nigeria and the United States in the promotion of trade and investments was imperative. “We must continue to promote trade and the only way to do so is for us to continue to forge partnership. “I thank you so far because so many American companies are showing interest in Nigeria and for most of them, the destination is Akwa Ibom State,’’ Akpabio said. The Consul-General, Mr Jeffrey Hawkins, commended the government for the massive infrastructural development in the state. Hawkins, who said that Akwa Ibom State was host to one of the largest American investments in Nigeria, thanked the state government for giving him a warm reception. “I have been in Nigeria for two years now and I have visited 17 states. I have not seen such hospitality,” Hawkins said.